Parcel Tracker returns to Windows Phone, also available for Windows 8

Good news for those who enjoyed the functionality of Parcel Tracker on Windows Phone. The developer has decided to support the app on the Store once again. This is after announcing their departure from the platform earlier last month. We've previously reviewed Parcel Tracker, as well as providing the developer with coverage for each major update applied, so it's good to see the well received app back on the Store. But that's not all that has arrived.

The developer has also decided to launch a similar app (albeit with a different title) for Windows 8, the newly released version of Microsoft's desktop operating system. While we're excited to see both apps now being officially supported with the future looking bright, we can't help but think we have Microsoft to thank for that.

Windows 8 and Windows Phone 8 have just launched, reviews are generally positive, Windows 8 sales have been highlighted by Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer, and Windows Phone 8 hardware have begun to roll out so it makes sense for any developer to reassess Microsoft's mobile platform. The developer of Parcel Tracker revealed poor sales and conversions to be the main factor in their previous departure.

If you've never heard of Parcel Tracker, you might want to check out our previous coverage, as well as the review we published back in 2010 (it's weird going back that far in Windows Phone's life). The app is a must-have for those who are required to keep track of packages and shipments that are in transit. A much loved feature is push notifications support that's utilised by many veteran users.

As mentioned above, the developer has also released a Windows 8 app, called Package Tracker. Now, before you get overly excited and start drooling, synchronisation between the two apps isn't yet possible. But the developer has revealed in a news bulletin posted within the Parcel Tracker Windows Phone app that this functionality will be included soon.

but the seller is amazon, so i have faith that i at least will either get shipped the right product, or they will cancel it based on an error. the picture and manuf of the product is listed as microsoft, so if amazon sends me some 3rd party piece of crap i will get angry and also return it.

I chose Shipping Buddy instead of Parcel Tracker. This was one of the times I didn't need any images for my app and I only paid $1 for the app to remove the ads. Shipping Buddy has always been reliable for me. Others will prefer Parcel Tracker, but different strokes. Hopefully the vendor will get revenue and sales will be better. I hoped he wasn't betting the farm on WP7.

#1 tracking app period. Use it all the time which is why I bought the app for multiple tracking purposes. I especially use it heavily before & after Xmas. Thanks for sticking with us & supporting the app guys.

So, I guess the real quest is are they going to actually stay in the market now? Seemed like someone I don't want to support after they were not only pulling out, but going to pull the app so people that bought were going to not even be able to redownload it. Left a bad taste of the dev for me anyway.